Ordering and Prices.

Complete high end analog stage for CD- and DVD players. Applicable in any model and make. This module
takes over
all functions from the DAC chip to the output plugs, both RCA and true balanced XLR outputs. The analog
signal
processing is truly state of the art with a non feedback single end class A operation and filter caps
in
MICA / silver quality.

Active components feature low noise Japanese audio transistors in Class A mode, and vertical bipolar
types from
Zetex, UK, with ultra high linear performance. The signal path is a straight line on the circuit board,
whilst the
components are placed in alignment with the signal track to minimize standing waves in the copper
wires.

The sound is highly detailed, relaxed and with a sense of musical spirit completely new to digital audio

media.
The input of the ZAPfilter will interface with any type of DAC chip, both voltage and current out put
types, so you
should not worry whether it will work in your particular model of player. The ZAPfilter 2 is not
attached to the
CD or DVD player, but only to the DAC chip, and so its connections are independent of the player model,
and only
specific to the DAC chip. A complete mains power supply is also provided in the kit for installation in
the
CD player's case. The supply utilize a high quality toroidal transformer and Schottky diode
rectification.

You can have both unbalanced and balanced output on any CD or DVD player, even if it does not have a
balanced
output from factory. And it is true studio quality balanced output with no phase splitters
involved.

Silver/Mica/Silver capacitors.

Filter caps are of great importance to the sound quality, usually a CD player is equipped with
relatively cheap
ceramic or Mylar types, and in some cases the better polypropylene types are found in the best
off-the-shelf players.
However we have taken a step even further to optimize the performance of ZAPfilter 2. We have used only
custom

made
MICA capacitors, which are magnitudes better than even polypropylenes, since MICA caps have lower loss
factor, and
also it is a natural material, where PP is a plastic. The conductor plates in the capacitor is pure
silver, terminated with
soft glowed copper wires. This is simply the best possible type of capacitor for filter application.

Even the power supply for ZAPfilter is a special chapter in state of the art audio technology. There
are no bypassing caps,
since they would tend to effect the sound quality. Instead we have

constructed a set of shunt regulators,
the benefit of this is that
the ESR is linear from DC to over 10 MHz at only 9 milliohms. To simulate this with capacitors in the so
called audible

frequency range, of 20-20.000 Hz, would take two caps of 880.000 uF each. But the shunt regulators have a
better function, as they work
right down to DC, where even the big caps could never have a low impedance.

Rectification is done with Schottky diodes for minimum switching noise, and the transformer is a low
noise toroidal type.

Power Supply with toroidal and Schottky diodes

True balanced output on any CD or DVD player!

The I/V converter, on ZAPfilter 2, which can also be configured as a V/V input, can read positive and
negative signals, and thus can interface
evenly to balanced and unbalanced D/A Converter chips (DAC). But this circuit also produces both positive
and negative signals, and can if
buffered be used to produce a true balanced output signal with

any type of DAC. So we installed the
necessary buffers on the ZAPfilter module to do just this.

So to make a true balanced output, simply drill holes for XLR plugs, and connect to the ZAPfilter
2.

Input / Output compatibility table.

Input from DAC chips

Unbalanced Output

Balanced Output

Unbal. Voltage

yes

yes

Unbal. Current

yes

yes

Balanced Voltage

yes

yes

Balanced Current

yes

yes

ZAPfilter 2 can interface perfectly to any type of D/A Converter chip, and produce as well unbalanced
as balanced outputs. High cut - or anti-aliasing is
performed

passively as 102 kHz with MICA / Silver caps. The characteristic of the filter is
Linkwitz-Reilly, which is recognized for minimum phase error.

For connection instructions see the "Connection" link in the left menu!

Better sound than a new CD player!

With ZAPfilter 2 and a reference clock you can achieve a better sound quality on you existing CXD or
DVD player, compared to purchasing even very expensive new
models.